Pierce 3 – Maxwell 0 (8/12)
Pierce 3 – Quincy 1 (8/14)
It was a good start to the 2025 season for the Bears as they posted wins against a pair of Mid-Valley League teams last week.
Starting off against county rival Maxwell, Pierce prevailed 25-18, 25-14, 25-8 behind a strong performance from the service line where they recorded 11 aces as a team.
Leah Charter turned in a nice all-around effort with a team-high eight kills and 10 digs, while Magali Jauregui handed out 12 assists in the sweep of the Panthers.
Both players drew praise from Coach Lauren Ornbaun who said this about her two seniors, “Leah did an amazing job at outside hitter while Charlie (Wayman) is out and Magali is running the offense like a champ and truly taking control in her senior year.”
Hosting the Trojans in a more competitive match two days later, the duo again led the way to the 25-20, 25-17, 16-25, 25-20 victory.
Charter posted a triple double with 13 kills, 10 digs and 18 service receptions, while Jauregui dished out 22 assists.
Rylie Delepierre showed her continuing improvement against Quincy, finishing with seven kills and 19 digs.
Also turning in a noteworthy effort was Alondra Barrera, who had 13 digs and 18 service receptions in the back row.
Things got tougher for the Bears (2-0) this week when they entertained U-Prep in a rematch of last year’s Division IV section championship on Aug. 21, before making their way to Chico for the sixth annual Panther Invitational on Aug. 23.
Princeton 0 – Hamilton City 3 (8/12)
Princeton 0 – Los Molinos 3 (8/14)
In its first two matches of the 2025 season, the Eagles fell 13-25, 20-25, 11-25 on the road in Hamilton City, then despite coming back strong at home against Los Molinos came up short 26-28, 19-25, 23-25.
Against the Braves, a Division V squad, Reyna Sullivan led the attack with six points including three kills and three aces, Lupe Espinoza handed out eight assists and Gabby Trujillo pitched in with three kills.
In its second match last week, Princeton put up a good fight but couldn’t get past the Bulldogs.
Espinoza finished with 12 assists, Sullivan registered five kills, while defensively Jenna Silva and Alison Rendon made seven and six digs respectively.
Looking for its first win of the season, the Eagles (0-2) hosted Chester on Tuesday in its only game this week.
Maxwell 0 – Pierce 3 (8/12)
Maxwell 0 – Modoc 2 (8/16)
Maxwell 0 – Durham 2 (8/16)
Maxwell 1 – Las Plumas 2 (8/16)
It’s been a trying week for the Panthers with Coach Brian Levings stepping down to due to health concerns after the loss to Pierce and interim Jessica Karlonas taking the reins without much preparation time.
Following its loss to Pierce on Aug. 12, Maxwell ventured to Durham’s Elmeretta Brown Tournament, where it lost 18-25, 16-25 to Modoc and 20-25, 20-25 to Durham before coming up just short to Las Plumas 21-25, 25-23, 14-16.
Playing their most competitive match against the Thunderbirds, Lylah Barrett recorded 10 kills and Erin Dennis pitched in with six kills.
Setters Olivia Roa and Bethany Wilson handed out 10 and nine assists respectively, while Reese Vierra served six aces.
This week the Panthers (0-4) looked for its first win in Winters on Tuesday, hosted Paradise Adventist Academy on Thursday, then heads to Los Molinos for the Beth Pilger Tournament today and tomorrow.